Acknowledgements:

Omi as always
The BTN8rs - with apologies
The Numb3rs dot org crew - since I did the whole alphabet inspired by their challenge

Disclaimers:

"A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend" - Willow, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
I do not own any Numb3rs characters nor do I have any rights to
anything related to the TV show Numb3rs. I plead fair use and claim
only my own writing and characters.


Margaret stood, still in her hospital gown and robe, speechless.

"Would you like to sit down?" the doctor asked, guiding her to a nearby chair.

She nodded a little after the fact, still staring at the films lining the light board on the wall.

"So..." she managed when she finally found her voice. "If it has metastasized like you think..."

"Then surgery won't be enough. We'll have to follow up with radiation treatment, chemotherapy, whatever it takes to wipe it out."

"I see."

Margaret laid her hands in her lap and stared at them for a few minutes.

"I'd like to see my husband now. Can you please go get my husband?" Her voice trembled and she barely got the words out before her veneer of calm control started to crumble.

The doctor laid a consoling hand on her shoulder. "I'm very sorry, Mrs. Eppes. I'll go get him for you."

Once the doctor was gone, the tears started to fall freely. Margaret looked heavenward with a quiet plea.

"Not yet, please. My boys still need me..."